Self-steering arrangement

ABSTRACT

A self-steering arrangement for sailboats comprising a counterbalanced vane pivoted on a horizontal axis and coupled by cables to the trim tab of an auxiliary rudder. The vane is pivotable about a second horizontal axis orthogonal to the first to accommodate variations in wind force. The vane is also pivotable about a vertical axis relative to its mounting to permit it to be aligned with the apparent wind direction relative to the course desired for the boat. The entire arrangement is so mounted that the rudder portion may be withdrawn out of the water to permit conventional maneuvering, and is readily mountable and demountable on a boat without disturbing the normal operation thereof.

United States Patent Ross-Clunis 51 July 25, 1972 [54] SELF-STEERING ARRANGEMENT Robert Alan Ross-Clunls, 1410 W. 4th St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90017 22 Filed: Feb. 24, 1970 21 Appl.No.: 13,477

[72] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-Andrew H. Farrell Attorney-Henry M. Bissell [57] ABSTRACT A self-steering arrangement for sailboats comprising a counterbalanced vane pivoted on a horizontal axis and coupled by cables to the trim tab of an auxiliary rudder. The vane is pivotable about a second horizontal axis orthogonal to the first to accommodate variations in wind force. The vane is also pivotable about a vertical axis relative to its mounting to permit it to be aligned with the apparent wind direction relative to the course desired for the boat. The entire arrangement is so mounted that the rudder portion may be withdrawn out of the water to permit conventional maneuvering, and is readily mountable and demountable on a boat without disturbing the normal operation thereof.

19 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented July 25, 1972 3,678,878

3 Shuts-Shut 1 v v J V 7 FIG 4 INVENTOR. ROBERT A. ROSS-CLUNIS BY QwM ATTORNEY Patented July 25, 1972 s Shuts-Shut 2 Patented July 25, 1972 Y 3,678,878

3 Shuts-Shut 5 SELF-STEERING ARRANGEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to self-steering mechanisms for boats, and more particularly to a vane type steering mechanism for sailboats.

2. Description of the Prior Art Numerous efforts have been made to develop some system which would be effective to control the course of a sailboat under certain conditions, thus eliminating the need for a helmsman constantly on duty. An effective mechanism of this type is virtually essential for single-handed maneuvering of sailing craft of any significant size, a practice which has become more prevalent in recent years with the advent and popularity of long distance, single-handed cruising, even including single-handed cruises around the world.

Although a few attempts at self-steering mechanisms were made for use on sailboats prior to the recent burst in popularity of sport sailing, these were rather limited and unduly cumbersome, not at all adaptable to sport sailing. Self-steering of sailboats was a necessity with respect to sailing models and the development of self-steering mechanisms received a boost late in the last century when the sport of model yachting was popular. However, self-steering arrangements for model yachts do not have the same objectives and are therefore not effective in performing the functions required for such mechanisms in full size sailboats.

One category of self-steering mechanisms is directed to maintaining a boat on a given course with a fixed compass heading. These mechanisms depend upon control by some compass device and require electrical or mechanical power for their operation. The mechanisms of this category are of no interest to the present invention which is designed to operate without any power other than that provided by the wind and the progress of the boat through the water, and are designed to hold the boat on a selected heading relative to the apparent wind direction.

Many of the self-steering mechanisms of the category defined above to which the present invention is directed are of a nature such that more or Ie$ substantial modification of the boat is required. In the main, these modifications take the form of an attachment to the boats tiller to control the manipulation thereof. Other such mechanisms require the installation of a control of the boat's tiller to permit automatic control thereof. Some of these mechanisms are unduly cumbersome and may require that they be actively disabled or disengaged before the control of the steering may be taken over manually by the helmsman. Because of the construction, such mechanisms of the prior art cannot be readily installed and removed from a sailboat, which factor, together with the relatively large expense usually associated therewith, limits their application to boats of a minimum size and cost. They are generally out of reach of the usual sport sailor who may wish to take a short off-shore cruise for one day or a weekend but who finds the task of maintaining constant and continuous duty at the helm somewhat onerous. Moreover, there may be occasions during cruising with a boat equipped with an automatic steering mechanism in which it is undesirable to have the steering mechanism engaged or mounted so that any portion thereof is in the water. This may occur when the boat is being maneuvered by hand in heavy wind or currents and where the forces of the elements are such as to possibly damage or destroy the self-steering mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved self-steering mechanism for sailboats.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a self-steering mechanism which is easily mountable and demountable on a boat.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatic self-steering mechanism for sailboats such that it may be readily retracted from immersion in the water while the boat is in use.

In brief, arrangements in accordance with the present invention involve a complete self-contained steering mechanism having a vane which is responsive to variations in relative direction of wind and boat, and which is coupled mechanically to a steering mechanism positioned in the water when the device is mounted on the boat so as to correct for such detected changes in relative direction. Devices in accordance with the invention provide an auxiliary rudder which serves to steer the boat without dependence upon the regular boat rudder. This auxiliary rudder is itself guided by a control tab fixed thereto and having its direction controlled by cables extending upwardly to the wind vane portion of the device. The entire arrangement is simple and lightweight, and is designed to be mounted with the addition of a minimum of fastenings outboard of the stern of the sailboat.

In the operation of arrangements in accordance with the invention, the boat is trimmed and set on the course which it is desired to maintain. This course will be determined relative to the apparent wind, and necessarily shifts if there are shifts in the wind direction. However, tests of such arrangements have shown that it is capable of steering a better course to windward than can be held by a human helmsman. In addition, the

self-steering gear can reduce the number of persons needed to make up a sailing crew on an extended cruise, thus reducing the weight of crew and cargo by the weight of the crew member saved and the food and water he would require during the cruise. The self-steering mechanism enhances safety at sea because crew fatigue may be reduced and more efiicient watchkeeping is possible. Reefing may be done single-handed and a change of foresails may be made without the need for calling another member of the crew to take over the helm.

To operate arrangements in accordance with the invention, the boat is set on course and then the vane is lined up with the apparent wind for that boat heading. When the vane is so aligned, its shaft is locked to the fixed shaft of the mechanism. Thereafter, any change of apparent wind direction relative to the boat heading, which may result from a shift of wind or from a deviation of the boat's direction from that heading, will develop a wind force on one side or the other of the pivoted vane. The vane then rotates in response to this force about its horizontal pivot axis. This causes a takeup on one and a release of the other of the two cables extending downward through the vertical shaft from which the rudder is suspended to a tee member on the rudder control tab. This change of forces on these cables causes a deflection of the control tab which, because of the action of the water thereon, moves the control tab together with the auxiliary rudder to which it is affixed in a direction such as to bring the boat back on the course relative to the apparent wind from which it deviated. Once it is brought back on course the force on the face of the wind vane drops to zero, the vane returns to its vertical position, and the control tab auxiliary rudder is lined up in a neutral position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the present invention may be had from a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one particular arrangement in accordance with the invention, showing it mounted on the stem of a sailboat;

FIG. 2 is a perspective elevational view, partially broken away, showing the various details of the arrangement of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the boat of FIG. 1, showing the arrangement of FIG. 1 pivoted for retraction from the water for transport when not in actual use;

FIG. 4 is a diagram representing the operation of a steering vane mechanism to illustrate the principle of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective elevational view of another particular arrangement in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An automatic steering mechanism is shown in FIG. 1 as secured to the stern of a sailboat 12 by means of a pivoting deckmount 14 and a lower, detachable support bracket 16. The self-steering mechanism 10 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2 as comprising a vane 20 partially broken away, preferably fabricated of clear plexiglass so as to avoid restriction of vision, which is pivotable about a pin mounting 22 between vertical and horizontal positions. The horizontal position is represented in phantom outline. The vane 20 may be set at any desired angle by means of a wing nut 23 in accordance with the force of the wind which is encountered, thus enabling the vane 20 to respond to varying wind strengths from very light to fairly strong without placing undue strain on the mechanism. The vane mount 22 includes a vertical plate 24 which is fastened to a horizontal axial pivot member 26 which is pivotable about a horizontal pivot shaft 28. The pivoting mechanism is further stiffened and retained on the shaft 28 by a second vertical plate 30, releasably secured to the plate 24 by means of a pair of screws 32 and pivoted on the horizontal pivot shaft 28 at the forward end thereof by means of a bushing 34. The sensitivity of response of the vane 20 and its related support mechanism is adjustable by means of a counter-balance 36 having a threaded adjustable end 38 with a retainer nut 39 on a shaft 40 from which a number of weights 42 are suspended. The purpose of the counterbalance mechanism 36 is to restore the vane 20 to the upright position when there is no transverse wind force against the vane 20 and to provide an increasing force (varying with the sine of the angle of inclination) to counteract the transverse force of wind against the vane 20.

A tee member in the form of a horizontal rod 44 extends transversely through the pivot member 26 and has secured to the outboard ends thereof a pair of cables 45 and 46. The horizontal pivot shaft 28 is fastened, as by welding, to a vertical vane shaft 48 which extends down into a shaft coupler 50. The shaft coupler 50 is in turn mounted within a tee 52 extending to a horizontal mounting member 54 mounted in the deck mount 14. A hollow rudder shaft 56 extends downward to a rudder 58 from the lower end of the shaft coupler 50. A mounting bracket 60, secured to the rudder 58 by pins 61, extends rearwardly from the rudder shaft 56 to support a control tab 62. The control tab supports a horizontal tee member 64 to which the cables 45 and 46 are attached as shown. It will be noted that the cables 45 and 46 extend within sleeves 47 of Teflon or a similar material downwardly through the hollow vane and rudder shafts within the shaft coupler 50 and come out alongside the rudder 58 through slidable supports such as 65. As indicated in the broken away portion of the shaft coupler 50, the rudder shaft 56 is supported in bushings 66 by pins 68. A similar arrangement is provided for the vane shaft 48 within the upper portion of the shaft coupler 50. Where the vane shaft 48 and the rudder shaft 56 meet within the shaft coupler 50, each is provided with a corresponding pin, 49 or 59, which togetherserve to prevent rotation by more than 360 of one shaft relative. to the other, thus preventing any possibility of the cables 45 and 46 becoming twisted within the shaft coupler structure. As shown in FIG. 2, the tee 52 is fastened to the horizontal support member 54 by a threaded connection. Thus the entire steering mechanism 10 is very easily mounted to and removed from its horizontal mountings fastened to the boat 12 by simply rotating it to thread it onto the horizontal member 54 and securing the lower mounting strut 16 (FIG. 1) to the lower portion of the shaft coupler 50. Such a pivotable support mounting may also be used to permit rotation of the entire mechanism 10 to the horizontal position for stowage when the unit is mounted on the boat 12 but is not needed for use. This configuration is shown in FIG. 3.

As an alternative pivoting arrangement shown in FIG. I, the deck mount 14 is provided with locking screws which may be used to lock the horizontal support member 54 in any angular position so as to support the mechanism 10 for operation as shown in FIG. I or for stowage as shown in FIG. 3 if desired.

The shaft coupler 50 also includes a locking clamp 51 which is threaded into the shaft coupler 50 and is used to lock the vane shaft 48 in position relative to the shaft coupler 50 when the mechanism 10 is to be set up for operation.

The principle of vane and trim tab control of boat direction is illustrated in the simplified views of FIG. 4 showing a boat 70 with a control tab 72, a wind vane 74 and a rudder 76. In this particular diagram, for purposes of simplicity of presentation and ease of understanding, the wind vane 74 is represented as being a vertical vane extending horizontally to pivot about a vertical axis 75 affixed to the control tab 72. The wind direction is represented by the arrow 78.

In view I, the boat 70 is shown on a desired course with the wind vane 74 aligned with the wind direction 78 and the rudder 76 and control tab 72 straight out behind the boat 70 in line with the desired course. In view II the boat 70 is shown as having deviated from the desired course in a starboard direction (clockwise) with the rudder 76 still aligned with the boat 70. The wind vane 74 however remains aligned with the direction 78 of the wind and has thus caused the control tab 72 to rotate relative to the boat 70 and rudder 76. In view III, the rotation of the control tab 72 relative to boat direction has caused the rudder 76, by virtue of the forces of the water against the control tab 72, to rotate in the opposite direction so as to produce a counteracting force and cause the return of the boat 70 to the desired course. With the rudder 76 angled as shown in view III, a turning force is developed such as to cause the boat to turn in the port direction. This tends to restore the boat to the desired course as indicated in view IV and as the boat returns to the preset course, the control tab 72 and rudder 76 also return into alignment therewith while the wind vane 74 remains aligned with the wind direction 78.

The operation of a self-steering mechanism 10 of the present invention is developed in accordance with principles similar to those illustrated in connection with FIG. 4, although the operating mechanism is somewhat more complex in principle by virtue of the vertical attitude of the vane 20 which is rotatable around a horizontal pivot axis 28, the rotation thereof being translated to a vertical control of the control tab 62 by virtue of the cables 45, 46 within the sleeves 47 extending downwardly through the hollow shafts 48, 58 and the coupler 50.

With reference to FIG. 2, it will be noted that the cable 46 is fastened to the near end of the horizontal rod 44 which extends from the pivot element 26 attached to the vane 20 and extends downward through the shafts 48 and 58 to the far end of the horizontal tee 64 on the control tab 62. Rotation of the control tab 62 about its vertical pivot in the bracket 60 in a given direction results in a force applied to the rudder 58 along the bracket 60 in the opposite direction due to the action of the water through which the boat and the mechanism 10 is moving.

In operative use of the mechanism 10, the sailboat is set on the desired course with the locking clamp 51 loosened so that the vertical vane shaft 48 is free to rotate within the coupler 50. With the boat on the desired course, the vane 20 and the associated mechanism mounted on the vane shaft 48 are rotated thereabout until the vane 20 is aligned with the prevailing wind direction. (It will be appreciated that this will be at a different angle from the direction of the boat, since it is impossible for a sailboat to proceed directly against the wind under the force of the wind.) When the vane 20 is aligned as indicated, the locking clamp 51 is turned to fix the angular relationship with the shaft 48 within the coupler 50. Also, the vane 20 may be set at a desired vertical angle by means of the wing nut 23 in accordance with the force of the wind which is encountered.

With the boat on course and the vane 20 aligned with the wind direction, the vane 20 will encounter equal wind forces on opposite sides thereof and will be maintained in a vertical attitude because of the counterbalance 36. However, should there be a shift in the relative direction of the boat and the wind, as by the boat lurching momentarily off the desired course relative to the wind direction, a net force will be encountered on one side of the vane 20. For purposes of illustration let it be assumed that a wind force is encountered on the near side of the vane 20 due to the boat bearing off course to starboard. This results in the wind vane 20 pivoting away from the viewer about the horizontal shaft 28, placing tension on the cable 46 and developing slack in the cable 45 by virtue of the rotation of the horizontal cable rod 44. At the control tab tee 64, the cable 46 pulls the far end of the tee 64 while the cable 45 permits the release of the near end of the tee 64. As a result, the control tab 62 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed from the top. This results in an unbalance of the forces of the water applied against the control tab 62 with an increase in the force against the far side of the control tab 62 which is transmitted to the rudder 58 through the bracket 60 to cause the rudder 58 to rotate in the clockwise direction when viewed from the upper side. This brings about an unbalance in the forces of the water against the rudder 58 with an increase in force developing against the near side of the rudder 58, causing the boat to turn in a counterclockwise direction, viewed from the top, or resulting in a correction of course to port which counteracts the initial deviation to starboard from the desired course, thus tending to return the boat to the desired course. As the boat is restored to its original course, the vane 20 is also rotated with the boat until it is once more in alignment with the wind so that the wind forces against the vane 20 are balanced. The counterbalance mechanism 36 then restores the vane to the upright position, controlling the cables 45, 46 so that the control tab 62 and rudder 58 are in line with the direction of the boat travelling through the water.

A particular arrangement of the present invention as particularly shown in FIG. 2 presents a number of advantages over previously known self-steering mechanisms for sailboats. The vertical extent of the vane 20 develops the desired leverage for the wind force to cause the necessary rotation for actuation of the control tab 62 without the need for an extended vane trailing behind the boat 12 as is required in prior art steering mechanisms utilizing horizontal vane mountings with vertical pivots. Moreover, this particular arrangement of the vertically mounted vane supported by the pivot mechanism 22 permits adjustment of the response of the vane 20 for varying force winds by virtue of the pivot mounting 22 which permits the vane 20 to be set at various angles between the horizontal and the vertical. The arrangement of the cables 45, 46 within the Teflon sleeves 47 provides for the transmission of the control forces to the control tab 62 with a minimum of frictional resistance to the movement of the cables 45, 46. Thus, the self-steering mechanism is very responsive to light force winds while also serving to provide the desired control of the boat in winds of much heavier force. The entire mechanism can be very readily attached to or removed from a boat without any need for modifying the existing rudder/tiller arrangement permanently installed on the boat. Moreover, when the self-steering mechanism of FIG. 1 is installed on a boat, it can be very easily withdrawn from immersion in the water by simply rotating the entire mechanism 90 to assume the horizontal position. The entire mechanism is of simple construction which is effective and reliable in operation, low in manufacturing cost, and substantially free from maintenance. In various sizes it can be used in conjunction with boats from approximately feet to 50 or more feet in length. Because of the free swinging construction of the rudder and rudder shaft suspension within the shaft coupler 50, it presents no problem whatsoever if the associated sailboat is to be backed up under power, as may be required when maneuvering in and out of a slip or mooring space. If the boat is backed, the rudder and related mechanism merely rotate 180 and trail the rudder shaft 58 for the rearward direction of boat travel. The mechanism is far enough behind the boat so that there is no interference with the stern of the boat or the boat's rudder itself. When the boat moves forward again the rudder 58 simply reverses again by l and is back in the position shown in FIG. 2.

Another particular arrangement in accordance with the invention is shown in FIG. 5 which comprises a slightly different mounting and supporting mechanism for the rudder and trim tab which also results in a different arrangement for retracting the assembly from the water when it is desired. The wind vane of this arrangement is the same as that shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 5 the mechanism comprises a first shaft or tube 84 which may be fastened to suitable mounting members such as a forked support 86 and the brackets 88 by means of bolts 90. The brackets 88 are secured to a mounting plate 92 made to be fastened to the stern transom of the sailboat. Additional supporting brackets may be provided if desired. The forked support member 86 is intended to be secured to a stanchion 94 by means of pins 95. The stanchion 94 is for fastening to the deck of the sailboat near the stern.

A stub tube functions as a coupler and is attached to the tube 84, preferably by welding, to support the stem 48 and locking lever 51 as shown in FIG. 2. A second shaft or tube 96 is affixed to the first tube 84 by means of brackets 98 which are fastened, as by welding, to corresponding collars 99. The collars 99 are affixed to the tube 84 by means of pins 100. A rudder 102 is supported by means of brackets 104 that extend from the rudder tube 96 rearward to a trim tab 106 and terminate at each end in a pintle device 108 for mounting in an associated gudgeon member 109. At the forward end of the brackets 104 the gudgeons 109 are affixed to the rudder tube 96 and the pintles 108 extend downward in a manner to support the rudder and trim tab assembly with sufficient rotational freedom. At the rearward end of the brackets 104 the pintles are turned upward and support the control tab 106 by means of gudgeons affixed thereto. Control lines 110 extend through Teflon sleeves 112 and 113 for protection at points of possible wear or for minimizing friction where the direction of movement is changed. A tee member 115 is affixed to the control tab 106 at the upper pintle-gudgeon support for controlling the angle of the control tab 106 by means of the lines 110 which extend upwardly to the wind vane, similar to the operation of the arrangement shown in FIG. 2.

The rudder 102 is provided with a forward portion 102A which amounts to about 18 percent of the total area of the rudder'102 and serves to counterbalance the rudder so it is virtually neutral under normal operating conditions. Similarly, the control tab 106 is provided with a forward section 106A amounting to about 13 percent of the total area of the control tab 106 in order to provide counterbalancing and result in a more neutral operation of the trim tab 106. The arrangement as shown in FIG. 5 is somewhat simpler in its design and construction than the arrangement of FIG. 2 insofar as the rudder support, suspension and control mechanisms are concerned, although it performs with even less friction in the movement of the control lines 110 than is encountered in the arrangement of FIG. 2.

When it is desired to retract the rudder suspension mechanism of FIG. 5, as for example when the boat is encountering heavy weather in which it is impractical to operate with the self-steering mechanism, or it is desired to withdraw it from the water in order to avoid possible damage from heavy seas, the pins 100 are simply withdrawn from the collars 99 and the tube 84, after which the rudder tube 96 is raised until the hole in the upper collar 99 aligns with the uppermost hole 118 in the tube 84. One of the pins 100 is then placed through the upper collar 99 and the hole 118 to support the entire arrangement out of the water. Moreover, should it be desired to disassemble the auxiliary rudder control mechanism, as for stowing away or for making repairs thereon, it is a simple matter to remove either the control tab 106 from the support brackets 104 or the auxiliary rudder 102 from the supports affixed to the tube 96 by simply separating the pintles 108 from the gudgeons 109 and hoisting the disassembled components aboard the boat.

In the arrangement of FIG. 5, the auxiliary rudder 102 is free to rotate through an angle in excess of 200, which has been found to be adequate under the circumstances for this particular embodiment. Moreover, the control lines 110 are in clear view throughout most of their extent so that any tendency to twist which might develop from rotation of the wind.

vane on the shaft 48is easily visible and may be counteracted by simply turning the vane manually to reduce the twist.

Although a particular arrangement of a self-steering mechanism for sailboats has been shown and described hereinabove for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations, or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art should be considered to be within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A self-steering mechanism for a sailboat or the like comprising:

a shaft coupler;

an auxiliary rudder for providing self-steering of a sailboat in accordance with relative changes in wind direction and boat direction when attached to said boat, the auxiliary rudder being rotatable relative to the shaft coupler;

a wind vane mounted for positioning at a preferred angle in a vertical plane;

means for mounting the wind vane so as to permit pivoting of the vane about a horizontal axis;

means for supportably mounting said wind vane and said means for pivoting the vane about a horizontal axis on the shaft coupler so as to permit rotation of the mounting means relative to the shaft coupler;

locking means for selectively preventing said last-mentioned rotation;

a control tab affixed to said auxiliary rudder in a manner such as to cause deflection of the rudder upon deflection of the control tab by virtue of the action of water flow thereon;

cable means extending between the wind vane mounting means and the control tab to cause angular deflection of the control tab in response to pivotal motion of the wind vane about the horizontal axis; and

mounting means to permit the raising of the auxiliary rudder and control tab so as to permit their withdrawal from the water when the mechanism is not in use.

2. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mounting bracket includes pivoting means for supporting the control tab for rotation about a substantially vertical axis.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said means for affixing said horizontal axis includes a tee member having the leg thereof rotatably secured to said shaft coupler, and said wind vane mounting means includes first and second bearing members positioned on respective arms of said tee member, said bearing members being coupled together for rotation about the horizontal axis defined thereby with the wind vane being secured to at least one of said bearing members.

4. The combination according to claim 3 further including a counterbalance affixed to at least one of said bearing members for restoring the vane to the vertical position.

5. The combination according to claim 4 further including cable lever means extending substantially horizontally from at least one of said bearing members in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation of said bearing member with said cable means being connected to said cable lever means.

6. A self-steering mechanism for sailboats or the like comprising:

an auxiliary rudder suspended from a rudder shaft;

a wind vane mounted in a substantially vertical plane;

a vane shaft for supporting said wind vane for pivoting about a horizontal axis;

a shaft coupler extending between and supporting both the vane shaft and the rudder shaft in aligned juxtaposition;

a control tab supported in position behind the auxiliary rudder for rotation relative to said rudder; and

cable means extending between the vane mounting means and the control tab for causing rotation of said control tab in correspondence to rotation of the wind vane about said horizontal axis.

7. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 6 further including vane shaft locking means for locking the angular position of the vane shaft relative to the shaft coupler.

8. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 6 further including mounting means fastened to said coupler for supporting the steering mechanism in position at the stern of a boat.

9. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 8 wherein'the mounting means includes a pivotable member for permitting rotation of the steering mechanism to a substantially horizontal position for storage above the water line.

10. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 8 wherein said mounting means for the steering mechanism is readily disengageable from the boat to permit attachment to and removal from the boat with maximum ease and dispatch.

11. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 6 further including means affixed respectively to the vane shaft and the rudder shaft to permit rotation of one relative to the other through approximately 360 while limiting relative rotation therebetween to not more than approximately 360.

12. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 11 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a pair of pins, one extending from each of the vane and rudder shafts respectively, for limiting engagement upon relative rotation between said shafts approaching 360.

13. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 6 wherein said cable means comprises a pair of fine wire cables extending through hollow portions in the vane shaft and the rudder shaft.

14. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 13 wherein said cables are encased in slidable relationship within Teflon sleeves along at least those portions of their extent where they may be subject to frictional engagement with any part of the vane and rudder shafts or the rudder.

15. A self-steering mechanism for sailboats or the like comprising:

an auxiliary rudder suspended from a rudder shaft;

a wind vane mounted in a substantially vertical plane;

means for supporting said wind vane for pivoting about a horizontal axis;

a bracket and collar combination affixed to the rudder shaft and securable to the vane support means at predetermined position by means of a pin extending through the collar and a hole in the vane support means, such that upon releasing of the pin from the mounting hole the rudder shaft and attached auxiliary rudder assembly may be retracted out of the water and affixed in an upper position relative to the vane support means by inserting the pin through a hole at the upper position;

a control tab supported in position behind the auxiliary rudder for rotation relative to said rudder; and

cable means extending between the vane mounting means and the control tab for causing rotation of said control tab in correspondence to rotation of the wind vane about said horizontal axis.

16. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 15 further including a pintle-and-gudgeon combination suspending the auxiliary rudder from the rudder shaft.

17. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 15 further including a pintle-and-gudgeon combination supporting the control tab from the auxiliary rudder.

18. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 15 wherein said auxiliary rudder is provided with a portion extending forwardly of its point of suspension from the rudder shaft in order to provide counterbalancing of the auxiliary rudder.

19. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 18 wherein the control tab is provided with a portion extending forwardly of the control tab pivot point to provide counterbalancing of the control tab. 

1. A self-steering mechanism for a sailboat or the like comprising: a shaft coupler; an auxiliary rudder for providing self-steering of a sailboat in accordance with relative changes in wind direction and boat direction when attached to said boat, the auxiliary rudder being rotatable relative to the shaft coupler; a wind vane mounted for positioning at a preferred angle in a vertical plane; means for mounting the wind vane so as to permit pivoting of the vane about a Horizontal axis; means for supportably mounting said wind vane and said means for pivoting the vane about a horizontal axis on the shaft coupler so as to permit rotation of the mounting means relative to the shaft coupler; locking means for selectively preventing said last-mentioned rotation; a control tab affixed to said auxiliary rudder in a manner such as to cause deflection of the rudder upon deflection of the control tab by virtue of the action of water flow thereon; cable means extending between the wind vane mounting means and the control tab to cause angular deflection of the control tab in response to pivotal motion of the wind vane about the horizontal axis; and mounting means to permit the raising of the auxiliary rudder and control tab so as to permit their withdrawal from the water when the mechanism is not in use.
 2. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mounting bracket includes pivoting means for supporting the control tab for rotation about a substantially vertical axis.
 3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said means for affixing said horizontal axis includes a tee member having the leg thereof rotatably secured to said shaft coupler, and said wind vane mounting means includes first and second bearing members positioned on respective arms of said tee member, said bearing members being coupled together for rotation about the horizontal axis defined thereby with the wind vane being secured to at least one of said bearing members.
 4. The combination according to claim 3 further including a counterbalance affixed to at least one of said bearing members for restoring the vane to the vertical position.
 5. The combination according to claim 4 further including cable lever means extending substantially horizontally from at least one of said bearing members in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation of said bearing member with said cable means being connected to said cable lever means.
 6. A self-steering mechanism for sailboats or the like comprising: an auxiliary rudder suspended from a rudder shaft; a wind vane mounted in a substantially vertical plane; a vane shaft for supporting said wind vane for pivoting about a horizontal axis; a shaft coupler extending between and supporting both the vane shaft and the rudder shaft in aligned juxtaposition; a control tab supported in position behind the auxiliary rudder for rotation relative to said rudder; and cable means extending between the vane mounting means and the control tab for causing rotation of said control tab in correspondence to rotation of the wind vane about said horizontal axis.
 7. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 6 further including vane shaft locking means for locking the angular position of the vane shaft relative to the shaft coupler.
 8. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 6 further including mounting means fastened to said coupler for supporting the steering mechanism in position at the stern of a boat.
 9. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 8 wherein the mounting means includes a pivotable member for permitting rotation of the steering mechanism to a substantially horizontal position for storage above the water line.
 10. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 8 wherein said mounting means for the steering mechanism is readily disengageable from the boat to permit attachment to and removal from the boat with maximum ease and dispatch.
 11. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 6 further including means affixed respectively to the vane shaft and the rudder shaft to permit rotation of one relative to the other through approximately 360* while limiting relative rotation therebetween to not more than approximately 360*.
 12. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 11 wherein said last-mentioned means comprises a pair of pins, one extending from each of the vane and rudder shafts respectively, for limitinG engagement upon relative rotation between said shafts approaching 360*.
 13. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 6 wherein said cable means comprises a pair of fine wire cables extending through hollow portions in the vane shaft and the rudder shaft.
 14. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 13 wherein said cables are encased in slidable relationship within Teflon sleeves along at least those portions of their extent where they may be subject to frictional engagement with any part of the vane and rudder shafts or the rudder.
 15. A self-steering mechanism for sailboats or the like comprising: an auxiliary rudder suspended from a rudder shaft; a wind vane mounted in a substantially vertical plane; means for supporting said wind vane for pivoting about a horizontal axis; a bracket and collar combination affixed to the rudder shaft and securable to the vane support means at predetermined position by means of a pin extending through the collar and a hole in the vane support means, such that upon releasing of the pin from the mounting hole the rudder shaft and attached auxiliary rudder assembly may be retracted out of the water and affixed in an upper position relative to the vane support means by inserting the pin through a hole at the upper position; a control tab supported in position behind the auxiliary rudder for rotation relative to said rudder; and cable means extending between the vane mounting means and the control tab for causing rotation of said control tab in correspondence to rotation of the wind vane about said horizontal axis.
 16. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 15 further including a pintle-and-gudgeon combination suspending the auxiliary rudder from the rudder shaft.
 17. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 15 further including a pintle-and-gudgeon combination supporting the control tab from the auxiliary rudder.
 18. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 15 wherein said auxiliary rudder is provided with a portion extending forwardly of its point of suspension from the rudder shaft in order to provide counterbalancing of the auxiliary rudder.
 19. A steering mechanism in accordance with claim 18 wherein the control tab is provided with a portion extending forwardly of the control tab pivot point to provide counterbalancing of the control tab. 